School of Social Work

SWK 506: ADVANCED GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH FAMILIES

SCHEDULE

According to State of Texas HB 2504, this course syllabus must be submitted for review prior to the course's scheduled start date. Therefore, the instructor has the right to modify this syllabus and course calendar at any time between submission for publication and the first day of class. Furthermore, the instructor has the right to modify the syllabus as any time during the course provided (1) such changes do not increase expectations or requirements beyond a reasonable equivalent and (2) students must be given ample notice of any changes

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Overview of Course

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This advanced practice course provides students with theories and skill for working with families which includes an advanced generalist approach. Students will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking and the use of evidence-based practices in working effectively with family systems. Prerequisites: Students must have been admitted to the MSW program, completed all MSW foundation curriculum requirements, and be in good standing in the MSW program.

COURSE OBJECTIVE(S):

1. Students will gain understanding of system theory and to be able to apply systems theories to advanced generalist practice with families.

2. Students will learn to articulate advanced theoretical perspectives for practicing with families.

3. Students will develop the ability to use critical thinking skills in their choice of practice methods with families.

4. Students will demonstrate the application of social work values and ethics in professional practice and the ability to analyze ethical dilemmas.

5. Students will strengthen cultural competencies for working with diverse families, particularly those in rural areas or at risk; including persons of color, women, the aged, gay and lesbian clients, and persons with physical and/or mental challenges.

6. Students will utilize a strengths perspective for developing multidimensional assessments, interventions and evaluation for families in various settings.

7. Students will learn to focus on research based practice with systematic methods for evaluating practice effectiveness.

8. Students will understand the effects of policy and how to change them to promote social and economic justice.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER COURSES:

This course builds upon foundation micro/mezzo courses SWK 501, 511, 541 and 553. It continues the process of socialization to the profession of social work in the areas of ethics, values and social justice through in depth analysis and application to practice. In conjunction with SWK 505 and 590, the course builds on concepts of theory based and empirically supported social work practice. The course directly related to SWK 555 which provides opportunity through field experience to apply the knowledge obtained in the course.

PROGRAM GOALS:

1. Prepare MSW graduates for professional advanced generalist practice that reflects application and integration of critical thinking, theoretical frameworks, and differential interventions.

2. Enable MSW graduates to apply ethical reasoning to advance equality, justice, and social change.

3. Promote leadership and service that is relevant to individual contexts of practice and enhances well-being and quality of life.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires a competency-based approach to identify and assess what students demonstrate in practice. In social work, this approach involves assessing students' ability to demonstrate the competencies identified in the educational policy. Students achieve programmatic goals listed above through demonstration of the following competencies for Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP).

Competency AGP 2.1.1 Exemplify professional social work behavior and standards

Competency AGP 2.1.2 Apply social work ethical principles to resolve dilemmas and

create positive change

Competency AGP 2.1.3 Critically analyze practice solutions and

Communicate judgments and reasoning through decision-

making processes

Competency AGP 2.1.4 Demonstrate the ability to build strengths based on mutual

engagement with diverse populations

Competency AGP 2.1.5 Demonstrate commitment to strategies that address

discrimination, reduce disparities, and promote social and

economic justice

Competency AGP 2.1.6 Contribute to evidence-based best practice approaches to

assess and improve effectiveness

Competency AGP 2.1.7 Differentially apply theories and frameworks of HBSE

Competency AGP 2.1.8 Promote social policies to improve service delivery systems

Competency AGP 2.1.9 Use leadership skills to respond, influence, and shape

changing contexts

Competency AGP 2.1.10 Demonstrate autonomy in dynamic practice situations that involve:

2.1.10.1 Relationship-building at all levels of systems

2.1.10.2 Evidence-based assessment tools and intervention approaches

2.1.10.3 Effective intervention with complex problems and prevention strategies

2.1.10.4 Response to the feedback process from interventions

Competency AGP 2.1.11 Develop leadership skills as advanced generalist practitioner to enhance organizations and communities.

Competency AGP 2.1.2 Demonstrates innovative problem-solving in social and organizational systems

Practice Behaviors

Each competency (outlined above) describes the knowledge, values, skills and cognitive and affective processes that compromise competency at the Advanced Generalist Practice (AGP) level. While content and activities of each course in the MSW curriculum covertly or overtly addresses each of the nine competencies, identified within each course is a set of specific practice behaviors representing observable components of one for more competencies. Content and Assessment in this course reflect the following practice behaviors:

2.1.8.a Interfaces with colleagues, client systems, and agencies to promote effective use of policies (i.e. policy practice)

2.1.10.1.b Builds trust with all levels of systems

2.1.10.3.d Assesses client systems strengths and limitations

2.1.10.3.g Assists clients to resolve problems

2.1.10.3.h Facilitates transitions and endings

2.1.10.3.i Negotiates, mediates and advocates for client systems

2.1.11 Becomes increasingly proactive in recommending constructive change in organizations and communities.

2.1.12 Demonstrate innovative problem-solving in social and organizational systems

Course Structure

Texts and Associated Materials

Required Texts:

Van Hook, M. P. (2014). Social work practice with families: A resiliency-based approach (2nd ed.).Chicago: Lyceum.

Additional Readings Suggested:

American Psychiatric Association (1997). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., TR). Washington, DC: Author.

Ginsberg, L.H. (2005). Social work in rural communities (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: CSWE.

Goldenberg, I., & Goldberg, H. (2013). Family Therapy: An Overview (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson Learning.

Kilpatrick, A. and Holland, T. (2006). Working with families: An integrative model by level of need. New York: Allyn and Bacon.

McAdoo, H. P. (Ed.). (1999). Family ethnicity: Strength in diversity (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Overview of Course Assignments

ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN ONTIME AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE.

1. Special Populations or Special Needs Family Literature Review (150 points)

Each student will do a review of the professional literature that focuses on families that would be considered members of a special population group or have a family member with a special need. You will have covered the preparation of a literature review in your research class. Paper must have an introduction, literature review, and conclusion that discusses the social family problem. Theory based methods of the etiology of the social problem must be discussed in your chosen case study that effects their lives and type of family challenges. Subjects include domestic violence, blended families, multi-cultural families, lgbt families, and technological interventions. All other subjects must be reviewed and approved by the instructor. Paper should be 7-9 pgs., not including references and cover page. APA style must be followed and a minimum of 10 references are required with NO MORE THAN ONE reference being web based. (This review should be for the same topic and family discussed in assignment 2 unless another topic is approved by the professor). Further, APA must be used in writing this paper. One-fourth of the grade of the paper will determined by the appropriate use of APA, spelling, grammar, and sentence structure. Any information you use that is not put in your own words must be cited according to APA style. Be sure to check how APA cites quotes that are more than 40 words long. Due at the beginning class. No Late Paper Accepted.

Outline for writing literature review: (If Headings arent used, the paper wont be graded.)

1. Introduction (no heading needed)

2. Literature review (use heading)

3. Conclusion (use heading)

2. Theory and Practice for Social Work with Families paper (150 points)

Each student will write a paper based on practical application of one of the theories in t